THIS AD WAS COPIED FROM PORTLAND'S CRAIGSLIST. To inquire, please find reply link on craigslist in Portland, OR, or message me on peachparts.

Greetings Mercedes-Benz Enthusiasts!

Up for sale (with tears in my eyes and diesel fuel in my bloodstream) is my 1983 Mercedes-Benz 300TD Turbo Diesel Wagon ($3500 OR BEST OFFER). She is steel blue in color and dark blue/black interior. Her name is 'Stella Blue' (aka The Beast, Stinky Charlotte, WTF is Wrong Now, etc.), and with all due respect towards this classic piece of sh... um, German Engineering, will be referred to as 'Stella' for the remainder of the posting. She will be sold only to a buyer who is somewhat knowledgable about diesel machinery and Mercedes' mechanical systems or who can afford a Benz mechanic for future issues/upgrades, should this knowledge be required.

Don't get me wrong, this is a GREAT vehicle and has been my daily driver for about 3 years and has never left me stranded or without a ride, but life has taken a crazy turn and I MUST sell her ASAP (like, NOW).

History of The Beast:

Stella was born in 1983 and driven and maintained well by a professional of the IBM corporation until approximately 2003 when he passed away. Upon his passing, she was abandoned in a field for 5 years and was lived in by addicts, used for firewood storage, and doubled as a rain catch for a few seasons of Oregon weather. Upon purchasing Stella in mid-2008, I found the interior systems stripped down to wires and switches, seats destroyed, carpets rotten, lighting non-functional, and overall neglected. However, with a used battery pulled from another Mercedes, she turned over with little effort, and made it half way home from the country. One radiator and a couple coolant hoses later, she made it the rest of the way home where my father and I began what I considered a dramatic restoration. I pulled seats, door panels, interior body trim and panels, switches, hoses, relays, carpets, wheels, chrome cowl vents, rotors, brake calipers, and the instrument cluster from a meticulously maintained 1984 300D Sedan with black interior.

Over the years, I have purchased, had repaired, and/or replaced trim pieces, switches, vacuum hoses, filters, glow plugs, timing chain/valve adjustment, latches, ignition switch, new tires, new battery, fuel lines, brake pads, stereo, amplifier, and speakers. She has been well loved, driven, and cared for by me, and I am reluctantly ready to let go. I know most all of her faults and quirky behaviors, which I can explain to you more in detail if you are truly interested in buying Stella, but here is a not-so-short list of her multiple personality traits...


* Cruises well on the freeway and in town with plenty of power and very little smoke (if any)
* SLS only works sometimes, but still seems to run level/raised for 70% of my travels
* Rubber window seals could use replacement with all this rain, but it no longer leaks when you're driving down the freeway
* Mileage: Instrument cluster replaced upon purchasing. 269,000 on original odometer and replacement odometer/tachometer is/are mostly non-functioning, but have put approximately 50,000 miles on her since 2009, for an estimated total of 319,000 miles (daily 40+ miles)
* Heater works great, but A/C and temperature control does not. High blow heat/defrost, low blow heat/defrost, or no blow. Rear window defrost only works on top half.
* Pretty good (and loud) stereo/amp with USB port and AUX input, new front speakers work intermittently (think wires just need to be checked)
* Averages approx. 350 miles per tank. Fuel gauge and low fuel light works great!
* Firm/comfortable seating all around and all interior lighting works (except for heater control back lighting)
* Typical dashboard cracks, but she now wears a new dash cover, and damn, she wears it well!
* Reverse lenses busted out from unruly skateboarders, but one side still lights up when backing up
* Rear brake/running lights are LEDs with custom lenses, front amber fog lights work fantastic for winter driving!
* Sometimes squeaky and sometimes rattly front suspension when driving over speed bumps
* Shifts well and when she should, but could use a vacuum system adjustment for fine tuning and smoother shifting
* Interior glow-plug relay push-button bypass (this means you have to push and hold the glow-plug warmer-upper button for 4-7 seconds before starting in the morning)
* Shut-off valve has began to not work, which means that most of the time when you turn the key off she keeps running. Open the hood and push the 'STOP' lever, or replace the valve. About 1 in 5 times, she'll shut off with a turn of the key.
* Tags are good until December 2012, and has no problem with passing D.E.Q.
* I have ALL parts/repair records since I purchased her in 2008
* Manual sunroof works great and makes you look pretty cool in the summer with your shades on!
* So many more stories and/or details, but you can come take a look to learn more!

Technical Details from Mercedes Benz Website:
Chassis: W123.193
Engine type: OM 617 D 30 A / 617.952
Number of cylinders / arrangement: 5 / in line
Total displacement: 2998 cc
Rated output: 125 hp at 4350 rpm
Gearing: 4-speed automatic transmission


All in all, she is a GREAT ride, and at $3,500.00, I am asking a very low price for this classic vehicle. At the same time, I have some very serious financial obligations that I must fulfill ASAP and will take **what I can get** for her. Please feel free to e-mail me with questions/concerns, or to schedule a time to come look her over and take a test drive. I will respond when I can and I am available most evenings for Stella visits.

Thanks for reading this far, and as a bonus, I will let you know that Stella also comes with HUNDREDS of dollars in new parts including belts, rear wheel bearings, one front wheel bearing, oil filter, and many used interior trim pieces, switches, Haynes repair manual, digital service manual, light bulbs and more!

STELLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!

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1983 300TD - 279,000+ (Sat idle for 5+ years... May 1, 2009 - On The Road Again!!!)

still have? pictures draaronr@gmail.com

Can't seem to figure out how to edit this post, again. Price has been reduced to $2,500.00 for quick sale. Really is VERY worth the money, and it has to sell SOON!!! Call me at 541-778-1134 and leave your number if you want to chat details. If the phone number doesn't show up because of privacy issues, please PM me on this site, or go to the Portland craigslist site and inquire via the link there. hankthoreau@gmail.com

Thanks,
Travis

__________________
1983 300TD - 279,000+ (Sat idle for 5+ years... May 1, 2009 - On The Road Again!!!)